Which aquarium filter is right for you? Today's aquarium filters include undergravel filters, power filters, canister filters, wet/dry filters, and internal filters. Read more to make the smart aquarium filter choice.

There are three basic types of aquarium filter media and each performs a different job to help keep a clean and healthy aquarium environment. This article gives a basic overview of the three main types of filter media.

Please note: Return of electrical equipment to Drs. Foster & Smith for exchange or refund is limited to 60 days from the date of purchase. Beyond 60 days, please contact the manufacturer for repair or replacement as covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

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Palm Filter Filter Pad 12 pk
4.7
5
46
46

Great tiny HOB
This filter is very small. Perfect for Nano/Pico set-ups. The flow control is great for beta tanks so that it won't create much of a current. I am using it in a 2 gallon cylinder. There is enough space behind the filter foam to fit a small handful of bio-media to enhance its biological filtration capability too. (using Seachem Matrix and Fluval Biomax) It is not very noisy as long as the lid is snugly in place and none of the bio-media is rattling around inside.
I have been running it for several weeks now with no trouble. Happy beta fish, ghost shrimp and nerite snails.
June 25, 2014

This is an amazing little filter!
I had been looking for a power filter that would not be to strong for my 1.5 gal. betta tank. This palm filter has an adjustable control that slows the current down perfectly. It also has a reservoir where I have added active charcoal and filter floss. I especially like the additional foam sleave that was enclosed to go over the siphon end of the filter. The sleave protects the delicate fins on my betta. I was having trouble keeping good water quality with my betta and one mystery snail. The snail creates alot of waste and fouls the water quickly. This filter runs effortlessly, is very quiet, and keeps the water very clean and clear. I would highly recommend the Azoo palm filter for any small application.
TIP: When hanging this filter, If there is a gap between the filter and your aqarium, try using a cut piece of panty hose filled with filter floss. Knot the cut ends to create a pillow. Use the pillow to wedge in the gap and to level the filter.
May 19, 2014

Perfect for my 2 gallon tank!
This filter is awesome. Easy to set up and use and works great. I used a different filter than what came with it because I wasn't crazy about it but super simple to modify. It is very quite & you can adjust how fast or slow you want the water flow. It is perfect for smaller tanks. I absolutely give it 5 stars :)
May 13, 2014

Great for 3 gallon tanks
I read a lot of reviews about a lot of different filters before I finally decided to go with this one, and I'm glad I did. We have a 3 gallon tank in which we keep my daughters beta and the old filter we had just suctioned to the side of the tank. For some reason it wouldn't stay up and kept falling in, the water would get really nasty quick. This new filter is amazing. It hooks to the side of the tank and has a flow adjustment which makes it ideal for the small tank we have. The water is so clear it is unreal, I'm surprised that I don't have to do a full change out on the water every other week. Every product has their downside and if you don't like to listen to the sound of running water, this one might not be for you. It sounds like a small waterfall, nothing real loud and it is soothing to my two month old son. The motor doesn't make any noise though, and I tune the sound of the water out easily.
April 30, 2014

Ask your questions. Share your answers.

Or, if you HAVE to give measurements, can you give them to me in standard form not metrics?I'm not good with that sort of thing. My tank is just the standard glass sided, black plastic rimmed 5 gallon that you can buy at the large pet stores.Thanks again!

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It snaps into a little hole on the outside of the filter, under where the foam goes. It's used to level out the filter so the water doesn't leak out the top - the black cap sits against the glass of the tank, and you spin it to push the filter off from the glass until the top is level or is tilted slightly into the tank.

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If your are talking about the little ridged cap with an offset pin, that peace goes under the filter and it helps hold the filter to the tank. Making it level & steady hanging from your tank by adjusting(turning) the cap.

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Answers

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Hi! I was reading some of the ratings, and this filter sounds great! But I also noticed that most of the customers were using it for a 2-5 gallon tank. I would like to get a 1 or 1.5 gallon tank with a beta fish, but I'm worried this filter will be too strong. Would this filter work for a 1 or 1.5 gallon tank?

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I've been using it on a 1.5 gallon for the last 3 years. Just turn the flow rate down. You can also slit a piece of filter foam and slide it up over the overflow lip to break up the return current as bettas don't like strong waterflow.

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Hi Elizabeth! I use this filter on my 3 gallon round planted tank. I like this filter because it has a flow controll valve on the top so I can can set it at a slower flow that doesn't damage my plants. I think it would also work for your smaller tank.

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Thank you for your question. Please feel free to contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-443-1160. You can also email them at CustomerService@FosterAndSmithAquatics.com.

4 years, 5 months ago

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Answers

Answer:

The water clouding may have nothing to do with using the filter the right/wrong way. It could be a bacterial bloom or an algae bloom. Both are likely to go away over time and water changes will help. If you still think it may be the filter, check that the foam pads are positioned snugly against the walls of the filter so that no water is coming around, over, or under them. The water should be passing through them only.

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Personally I folded the sponges and put in the bottom them added my carbon filter on top of the sponges so the water will flow through the carbon first. My tank has been clean and crystal clear for two months now. May not be the "right way" by other peoples standard but it is working great.

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First make sure that your tank has completed cycling, since cloudiness will occur for about 3 - 7 days (sometimes a bit more) in a new tank until the good bacteria have fully established themselves in the tank. Do not change any water during this process.Second, be sure you are not overfeeding. This is not healthy for either the Betta or the clarity of the water. If you think you may have too much detritus in the gravel, use a gravel siphon cleaner to clean the bottom of the tank and remove the excess dirt.Third, have you thoroughly rinsed your gravel before putting it in the tank? If not well washed, particulates from the dust in the gravel can be clouding the water that are too small for the filter to remove. There are various water clarifiers that can be used to help the filter remove these.Fourth, if you are cleaning the filter's sponges, remember not to wash them in ordinary tap water which will kill off most of the beneficial bacteria therein.Fifth, do not change too much of the tank's water at a time. This too can cause the cycling stage to start again, and cloud the water.I found that the filter works great if you put a piece of foam filter on the bottom, a small amount of charcoal in a mesh bag on top of the foam, and then some Biomax in another mesh bag above the charcoal.I hope this is helpful to you and that you can enjoy your tank and Betta.

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Thank you for your inquiry to Drs. Foster and Smith. As the manufacturer suggests if you keep the white fine filter pad against the outflow and the black coarse filter pad directly behind it this product should filter the water. There may be other reasons why the water is clouding such as over feeding, using well or city water or it could be cloudy from not having regular water changes. We suggest checking your water parameters to make sure they are within normal range. Please feel free to contact our specialists at 1-800-381-7179 or at customerservice@drsfostersmith.com so that they may assist you with this issue further.Lrb

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